“This is definitely sexier than past campaigns we’ve done,” she tells PEOPLE. “I guess you could say ‘Hans and Franz’ are celebrating season 9.”

Good thing 20 fresh designers are eager to make the superstar some clothes!

The new season, which premieres July 28 (9 p.m. ET) on Lifetime, features Klum and her trusty co-judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, plus mentor Tim Gunn and a bevy of celebrity judges, including Kim Kardashian, Christina Ricci, Zoe Saldana and Malin Akerman.

On the season premiere, the 20 chosen designers – the most ever on the show – have to stand before the judges and tell them why they deserve to make the cut. Klum, Kors and Garcia will then narrow the field to 16 and guide the contestants to what Lifetime calls “one of the toughest first challenges in the series’ history.”

Expect fashion, fun and some serious drama.

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